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Asian Language & Culture Awareness New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC) Burmese Language & Culture

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Page 1: Burmese Language & Culture · Myanmar is derived from the Brahmi script which flourished in India from 500 BC to 300 AD. The Brahmi script spread to Tibet, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand,

Asi

an L

angu

age

& C

ult

ure

Aw

aren

ess

New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL

Technical Assistance Center

(ALBETAC)

Burmese

Language & Culture

Page 2: Burmese Language & Culture · Myanmar is derived from the Brahmi script which flourished in India from 500 BC to 300 AD. The Brahmi script spread to Tibet, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand,

1 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Table of Contents

BURMESE GEOGRAPHY: ................................................................................................................................ 2

EDUCATION: .................................................................................................................................................. 3

MYANMAR LANGUAGE & WRITING: ............................................................................................................. 3

CULTURE: ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

Religion.............................................................................................................................................. 6

Family ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Customs and Manners ...................................................................................................................... 7

Cultural Dos & Don’ts ........................................................................................................................ 8

Do: ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Don’t: ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Myanmar Calendar ........................................................................................................................... 9

Myanmar Holidays ............................................................................................................................ 9

Myanmar Surnames ........................................................................................................................ 11

Myanmar Cuisine ............................................................................................................................ 13

FACTS OF INTEREST: .................................................................................................................................... 14

Did you know that … ....................................................................................................................... 14

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS:............................................................................................... 16

Myanmar Literature in English Translation ..................................................................................... 16

Myanmar Wisdom: Proverbs .......................................................................................................... 16

Myanmar Sayings (Rules) ................................................................................................................ 17

Myanmar Duties.............................................................................................................................. 17

Famous Quotes ............................................................................................................................... 18

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2 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

BURMESE GEOGRAPHY:

Myanmar (Burma), located in Southeast Asia, is

the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia.

The following are some facts on Myanmar.

FACTS ON MYANMAR (BURMA)

Area 678,500sq. km.

Population 50,000,000

Capital

Yangon (Rangoon) (In 2005,

the administrative capital of

Myanmar became

Naypyidaw.)

Administrative

Divisions

7 States

7 Divisions

Chief of State

Gen. Than Swe, Head of

Cabinet under State Peace and

Development Council since

1992.

Government

Republic (In 1988 a military

coup took place and the

military administration is still

in effect.)

Exchange Rate 6 Kyats = 1 U.S. Dollar

GDP*

(per capita) $1,200 (2008 est.)

Flag

To learn more about Myanmar (Burma), you

may visit the following websites: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/Myanmar (or Burma)

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/myanmar/htm

http://www.ASEAN.org

http://www.UNESCO.org

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3 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Note to Teachers:

Myanmar English

language learners may

have difficulty in

pronouncing words as

some sounds do not exist

in the Myanmar language

(e.g. ch, th, wh).

In Myanmar grammar

construction there is no

“ing” ending. There is

also no future tense in

Myanmar.

EDUCATION:

EDUCATION AND LITERACY RATES IN MYANMAR

Years of Compulsory

Schooling

Literacy Rate

(Age 15 and over can read and write)

Total % Male Female

10 years (elementary,

middle school and 10th

grade matriculation)*

89.9% 95.6% 93.2%

*In Myanmar Compulsory Schooling is K- 4

th Grade. Students can continue from Middle to High School

(10th Grade). 10

th Grade is Matriculation. Students enter Universities and Colleges after Matriculation at

age 16.

To learn more about Myanmar education, please see the following: http:// www.educationmyanmar.com

http://www.cetana.org The Cetana Education Foundation, located in Princeton, USA, has an outstanding

program of publishing dictionaries of the ethnic nationalities. Dictionaries of English- Karen, English-

Kachin and English- Shan languages are available. There are also scholarship programs.

http://www. sorosfoundation.burmaproject.org The Soros Foundation also offers scholarship programs

and grants for education.

MYANMAR LANGUAGE & WRITING:

Myanmar (Burmese) is the official language. It is one of 100 languages spoken in the country.

Myanmar is derived from the Brahmi script which flourished in India from 500 BC to 300 AD.

The Brahmi script spread to Tibet, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand,

Cambodia, and Indonesia in the period 100 AD -800 AD with

the influence of Indian beliefs and culture. The script

developed the indigenous scripts for those countries.

In Myanmar the ethnic nationalities’ Shan, Karen, Mon,

Rakhine scripts are also derived from the Brahmi scripts.

The Kachin, and Chin nationalities’ scripts are Romanized

alphabets.

Some features of Myanmar language are:

The alphabet consists of 33 consonants, 12 vowels and

diacritic marks.

Words and letters are written from left to right.

Note to Teachers: The

school year in Myanmar is

different than in New York.

In Myanmar it begins in

June and ends in February.

For High Schools it ends

mid-March.

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4 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

The following chart features the Burmese alphabet.

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5 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

The following chart provides some useful phrases in Burmese that will help create a welcoming

and supportive environment for your Burmese English language learners.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR THE CLASSROOM - MYANMAR (BURMESE)

English Pronunciation Myanmar (Writing)

My name is …

Kya note nar mae……

Kya Nawt nar mae….

Kya ma nar mae

u|efyf emrnf ---

u|efawmf emrnf ---

usr emrnf ---

How are you? Bae lo lel b,f vdk vJ

Fine. (Answer to "How are you?”) Dee lo bell 'D vdk yJ

Thank you. Kyay zu tin bar dae aus;Zl;wifygw,f

You are welcome (Answer to

“Thank you.") Ya bar dae & yg w, f

Welcome. (greeting) Min ga lar bar, Kya bar r*Fvmyg =uGyg

Good-bye. Khayint pyu bar cGifhjyKyg

Please sit down. Htai bar ohn xdkifygtHk;

Please stand up. Mat tat yut pay bar rwfwyf&yfay;yg

Let's begin. Sa gya bar soe p =u ygpdk@

Good. Kyaung bar bee aumif;yg+yD

Very good. Thake kyaung bar dae odyfaumif;ygw,f

Try again. Htup loke kyi bar ohn xyfvkyf=unf@ygtHk;

This is the homework. De har ain zar bar 'D[m tdrfpmyg

Please open your book. Min sarokeko phwint kyi ya-aung rif;pmtkyfudk zGifh=unf&atmif

Do you understand? Min nar lae lar rif;em;vnfvm;

For more information on the Burmese language, you may visit the following websites: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Burmese/Script/language.htm SEAsite: Center for Southeast Asian

Studies /Northern Illinois University Home Page

www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/ Burmese Language Lessons online from John Orkell

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6 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

CULTURE:

Religion

Gauddama Buddha a prince from Nepal became the Enlightened One. His teachings and

practices spread overall to China and Southeast Asia. After his death Buddhism became divided

into Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Myanmar (Burma) practices Theravada

Buddhism.

Some interesting facts about religion in Myanmar are:

90% are Buddhist in Myanmar, 4% are Christian (3% Baptist and 1% Catholic), 4% Muslim,

and 2% Animist.

Hand in hand with these religions in Myanmar, there exists the worship of NATS (all beings of

the Spirit World).

In Myanmar the 37 NATS are still culturally accepted and observed.

To learn more about Theravada Buddhism and religion in Myanmar, you may visit the following

websites: www.edhamma.com eDhamma.com: A Window to Theravada Buddhism

http://www.thisismyanmar.com/nibbana/ Presenting THERAVADA BUDDHISM in Its Pristine Form

www.myanmardotcom.com Myanmardotcom [This website has a detailed section about Buddhist

practices in Myanmar. Click Myanmar States (at the left), then click on Buddhism (at the top).]

In New York and New Jersey, the American Burma

Buddhist Association. Inc. is well known for its

Theravada Buddhist practices. The first Burmese

Pagoda constructed in the United States is also

located in New Jersey.

Please see http://www.mahasiusa.org, the site for the

American Burma Buddhist Association. The picture

gallery has an archive of the full construction of the

LokaChantha pagoda in the United States.

The following books are recommended for Theravada Buddhism and its practices in Myanmar:

Roscoe, Gerald- An Introduction to Buddhism for the Westerner. 2004, 96 pages.

Ray, Niharranjan- Theravada Buddhism in Burma. 1946. Reprint 2002. 120 pages.

Temple, Sir Richard- 37 Nats: A Phase of Spirit Worship Prevailing in Burma. W. Griggs.

London. 1906. (Reprint-Kriscale. London.1991)

Please note that you can view series of videos, The 37 Nat of Myanmar, on YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqP2Vkc98Lo

LokaChantha Pagoda

Manalapan, New Jersey

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7 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Family Respect for Elders dictates behavior among Myanmar family and authority. God, Religious Law,

Missionary, Parents and Teachers [Phaya, Tayar, Sangha, MiBa, Saya thamar (in Myanmar)] are

categorized in one level and due honor and respect must be observed.

Some interesting features of the Burmese family structure include the following:

Only elders have the right to question a younger person’s life history.

Hospitality and generosity are freely observed. The Buddhist belief that merit gained in this

life gains a better existence in the next life is ingrained.

Women follow in the footsteps of men, YAUNG NAUK SADONE PAR, in the Myanmar

language. Men’s hairstyle in olden days was a “Topknot”, and women wore a “bun

with a fringe”.

Myanmar women do have a lot of freedom. They stand side by side with men and run

businesses. Market trading and small businesses are all in the hands of Burmese women.

To learn more about the Burmese family structure, please see the following: www.mrtv-3 -Myanmar Weddings – Tying the Knot

-Bahusacana (To have knowledge – 38 Modes of Auspicious Conduct)

www.aungzay.org

AungZay Institute has published Thirty Eight Mingalas Series 1. The Mango and the Gwedauk

Tree. by Min Yu Wai, translated by Sheila Desmond. 2009.

This 1st of the series is available at the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, NY.

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki /myanmar

Books on the Burmese family -

- Chit, Khin Myo. Colorful Myanmar. 3rd

Ed. Yangon, 1995.

-Khaing, Mi Mi. Burmese Family. Longmans Green. Bombay, 1946.

Customs and Manners

Myanmar customs and manners, especially towards elders, are formal and traditional. In daily

social relations strict social norms are observed.

During the religious fasting period (July–October) abstinence from indulgences (e.g. drinking

alcohol, eating meat, celebrating of marriages) is strictly observed. Members of the religious

orders (Sangha-Buddhist clergy) are also restricted from traveling from one place to another

during this fasting period.

It is disrespectful to touch anyone on their head /hair. Even mothers must respect this

observance with all men and even boys (sons).

It is rude to step over any part of a person.

First name usage is frowned upon. People must be addressed with the proper salutation, for

example, “U” ( Mr., Uncle ), “Daw” (Ms., Mrs., Aunty ), Maung (for Boys), Ma (for Girls).

One does not sit at the same level with monks (members of the Buddhist Clergy) and elders.

For more information on Myanmar customs and manners you may visit the following websites: www.yangoncity.com.mm and www.myanmartourism.com

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Cultural Dos & Don’ts

Do:

Serve elders and oldest first or a place morsel of food (especially rice and curry) as a token for

the elders.

Remove shoes and footwear when visiting pagodas, monasteries, and also when visiting

homes.

Tuck away feet. Do not point feet towards pagodas, religious images or a monk. Elders and

Myanmar men are also given the same courtesy.

Treat Buddha images with respect (no hugging and sitting on top of images for photos)

Don’t:

Shorts are not worn when visiting pagodas and monasteries. Women do not wear strapless

clothing. Hats, umbrellas and footwear are taken off before entering the vicinity of a religious

place.

Do not give one’s back in the presence of Buddhist monks, teachers, parents and the aged.

Buddhist monks, nuns and the elderly are not greeted with hand shakes or gestures.

Handshakes are not necessary.

A woman should not rearrange her garments, nor beautify herself in front of monks and the

aged.

Do not hug or kiss in public. Married people also do not show any signs of affection in public.

Shouting, laughing and cat calls are frowned on in public.

Women do not touch a monk.

To learn more about Myanmar culture, please visit the following websites: http://www.myanmartimes.com is a weekly newspaper published in Myanmar and English. It has write

ups on Burmese cultural observances

http://www.mandalaygazette.com is also a Myanmar community newspaper published in California. This

newspaper has a cultural corner.

http://wwwMRTV-3.com

http://www.myanmartravelinformation.com

www.myanmars.net has free travel information book 2009CD. DOs & DON’Ts are included.

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9 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Myanmar Calendar

Myanmar has three calendars. The Myanmar calendar is a luni-solar based (motion of the sun

and moon) calendar. The Myanmar calendar begins with the Thingyan Water Festival (Burmese

New Year Festival) and takes place in April, according to the Georgian calendar. The Myanmar

year is 1371.

The Theravada Buddhist year begins with the passing of Buddha into Nibbana. The current

Buddhist year is 2553.

The Georgian Calendar is the calendar by which the Myanmar holidays of political significance

are observed.

Myanmar Holidays

Myanmar is said to be the country with the most holidays. In the twelve month year, there is a

holiday every month. Myanmar holidays are political, religious and cultural. In addition, each

ethnic New Year, (e.g., Karen New Year) or cultural event is also observed in their respective

States. Kachin Harvest Day (Manaw Festival) and the Shan Balloons & Kite Festival are some

of the festivals observed together with the respective area Pagoda festivals.

In addition, other ethnic nationalities’ religious and cultural holidays are also observed in

Myanmar, for example: Christmas Day (Christians), Id (end of the Islam fasting period), the

Dewali Festival (Hindu), and Chinese Lunar New Year.

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HOLIDAYS IN MYANMAR

Holiday Date Significance

P

O

L

I

T

I

C

A

L

Independence Day January 4 Celebrates independence from British

colonial rule

Union Day February 12

Commemorate the signing of an agreement

by all nationalities to complete the struggle

for independence from the British

Peasant’s Day March 2 Honors the country’s largest work force

Armed Forces Day March 27

Commemorates the formation of the Burma

Defense Army and their resistance against

the Japanese during WWII. Known also as

“Resistance Day”.

May Day May 1 Honors workers; Labor Day

Martyr’s Day July 19

Assassination of General Aung San (Father

of the Independence Movement) and his

Cabinet ministers.

R

E

L

I

G

I

O

U

S

and

C

U

L

T

U

R

A

L

Full Moon of Kason Full moon day in

May. *

Celebrates three events of Buddha’s life:

Birth of Prince Siddatha, Enlightenment

under the Bodhi tree as Buddha, and passing

away of Buddha into Nibbana.

Full Moon of Waso Full moon day in

July.*

Beginning of the Buddhist Lent period

which lasts for three months.

Full Moon of Thadingyut Full moon day in

October.*

End of the Buddhist Lent period. Lighting

festival to commemorate Buddha’s return to

earth after preaching the scriptures to his

mother in the celestial abode.

Full Moon of

Tazaungdaing

Full Moon day in

November.*

Offering of “Kat hein”. Offering of saffron

robes to Buddha image and the Buddhist

clergy.

Maha Thingyan Festival

(Burmese New Year)

Usually starts on April

12th and usually ends

on April 17th, New

Year’s Day.*

First 3-4 days are spent on throwing water.

On New Year’s day, spiritual ceremonies

are performed

*The date for these holidays depends on lunar movement and lunar calculations.

To learn more about Myanmar holidays, please see the following: http:// www.myanmardotcom.com

http://www.yangoncity.com.mm http://www.thingyan.org/tghome.htm

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11 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

2010 Summer Burmese Water Festival in Chinatown, New York City

2010 Burmese Water Festival in NYC (Picture from http://www.thingyan.org/tghome.htm)

Myanmar Surnames

Myanmars do not have family names.

Myanmar women also have their own name, given at birth, which they retain even after

marriage.

Myanmar has a Naming System. Please see the following charts.

Myanmars can also change their names whenever they wish.

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12 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

CHART 1

Northeast Sunday

SUN Garuna

East Monday MOON Tiger

Southeast Tuesday

MARS Lion

Line 1: Cardinal Points Line 2: Days of the Week In Myanmar there are 8 days. Wednesday is divided into morning and afternoon. Line 3: Planets’ Position Wednesday afternoon is the Myanmar astrological position. Line 4: Burmese Zodiac Sign Birth animal that corresponds to the person’s day of birth.

North Friday VENUS

Guinea Pig

South Wednesday (morning) MERCURY

Tusked Elephant

Northeast Wednesday (afternoon)

RAHU Tuskless Elephant

West Thursday JUPITER Mouse

Southeast Saturday SATURN Dragon

CHART 2 - BURMESE ZODIAC SIGN

CHART 3 – NAMING SYSTEM

DAYS OF WEEK BURMESE SCRIPTS BIRTH #

Sunday Ah, Oh, Au, U(Oo), Ok 1

Monday Ka, Kha, Ga, Nga 2

Tuesday Sa, Za, Nya 3

Wednesday (a.m.) Wa, La 4

Wednesday (p.m.) Ya, Ra 8

Thursday Pa, Pha, Ba, Ma 5

Friday Tha, Ha 6

Saturday Ta, Hta, Da , Na 7

Please note that Charts 1 and 2 are from Colorful Myanmar (pages 18 and 14).

EXAMPLE OF NAMING USING THE CHARTS

A Sunday born child’s name would begin as

(Mg) OHN MYINT Male boy

Or

(Ma) OHN MYINT Female girl The Sunday born child would have the -Birth Number: 1 -Burmese Zodiac Sign: GARUNA -Cardinal Sign: Northeast

A child’s fate and name are set from the day of birth. Every Myanmar knows their sign, birth number and to which cardinal point they should pray when visiting a pagoda.

Both male and female could have the same name. The titles, Mg and Ma, indicate the child’s gender.

Shwe Yoe (Sir George Scott) in his book The Burman His Life Thought and Notions states, “For a Burman (Myanmar) a birthday occurs every week.”

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13 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Chart 3 is from Nar Metkaya Sun Namyi Ah Haw Kyan Gyi.

For additional information please see the following websites and books: http://ww.myanmar2day.com/myanmar-culture-custom/2008/

www.burmalibrary.org/show.php (Free e- books are available.)

Shway Yoe (Sir George Scott). The Burman His Life and Notions, Norton Library, 1963.

Khin Myo Chit. Colorful Myanmar. 3rd

Ed. Yangon, 1995.

Mi Mi Khaing. Burmese Family. Longmans Green. Bombay, 1946.

Mi Mi Khaing. The World of Burmese Women. Zed Books. London, 1984.

The following books, written in the Myanmar language, are useful in explaining the Burmese

Naming System:

Zeya Theikdi U Soe Min. Nar Metkaya Sun Namyi Ah Haw Kyan Gyi (in Myanmar). 2nd

Edition. Yangon, 1986.

U Tha Tint. Poke Gala Pyinyat Ahchaygan Kyan Gyi. 4th

Edition. Yangon, 2002. (Please note

that the translation of this book’s title is Personal Naming System and Basic Laws.)

Myanmar Cuisine

Rice with curries of meat, fish and seafood, soup and salad is the staple diet of Myanmar. Fish

sauce (Ngan Pya Yay) and fish paste (Nga Pi, Nga PiYaygyo) are the inevitable condiment, spice

and soul food for Myanmars. They are also known and used in other Southeast Asian countries.

Here are some interesting features of Myanmar cuisine:

The ethnic nationalities also have a host of dishes prevalent to their regions. The cuisine of the

Kachin, Kayin, Shan, Mon, Rakhine regions is known and enjoyed throughout the country.

Chinese cooking from Yunnan, Hokkein and Hakka are also well known throughout

Myanmar.

Indian dishes such as Biriyani, Pulau (rice with meat) is a favorite in the country.

One can sample authentic Burmese food in New York at the following restaurants:

VILLAGE MINGALA CAFÉ MINGALA

21 East 7th

Street 1393 2nd

Avenue (between 72nd

and 71st Street)

New York, NY New York, NY

MOHINGA (fish soup with rice

noodles) is the national dish. Eaten as

breakfast or as a meal any time of the

day, it is known throughout the country

in every State and region.

LAPHET (fermented tea leaves) is the

Myanmar snack/salad/relish nationwide.

It is part of Myanmar culture to offer

“Betel, Tobacco & Laphet” as a sign of

hospitality and welcome.

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14 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Please visit the following websites for cuisine and recipes: www.myanmardotcom.com

www.lulucooking.blogspot.com

www.greenelephant-restaurants.com

FACTS OF INTEREST:

Did you know that …

1 U Thant was the 1

st Asian Secretary General of the United States.

2 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, is also the famous opposition

leader to the present administration of Myanmar. She is the daughter of the General Aung

San, who was the leader of the Independence movement against British colonial rule.

3 Dr. Adoniram Judson and his wife Ann were the 1st American Christian missionaries in

Myanmar. They arrived in 1813. Dr Judson developed Burmese grammar based on Latin

grammar. He also wrote the 1st Myanmar-English Dictionary. Judson Church (Yu Da Than–

in Burmese) was built in memory of Dr. Judson and is still in existence in Yangon today.

4 The Shwe Dagon Pagoda, the revered

pagoda in Myanmar, is 2,597 years old. It

is 326 feet in height. The sacred umbrella

and spire, made of pure gold and precious

gems, weighs 600 tons. The whole

pagoda is glided with pure gold and has a

total weight of 3.5 tons

5 Bridge on The River Kwai is the Academy Award winning movie from David Lean,

produced in 1957. The true WW II facts occurred in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. A

train crossing was built in 1942 using POW labor, where over 60,000 men (British,

American, Australian, Indian, Burmese, Malaysian and Indonesian laborers and POWs) were

used in the construction of the train crossing over the MaeKlong River (renamed Kwai Yai

River in 1960) from Thailand to Myanmar (Burma) at Than Byu Zayat. Today at Than Byu

Zayat there is a War Memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during the construction

of this train crossing bridge.

6 Mount Hkakaborazi, located in the north of Myanmar, is the highest mountain of Southeast

Asia. It is over 19,000 feet (5,889 meters) high.

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15 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

7 Inle Leg Rowers from the Shan

States are unique for rowing with

one leg. They live in and around

the floating villages of Inle Lake

in the Shan states.

8 Pagan, the ancient city of the Burmese

monarchs for over two and half

centuries, was the capital of the

Myanmar kings. Pagan is 16 square

miles in area. Today, over 2,000

pagodas, temples and monasteries still

exist. Pagan is a well known

international tourist site.

9 Padaung means “Long Neck” in the

Shan language. The Padaung are of

Kayah ethnicity, one of the nationalities

of Myanmar. Padaung women are noted

for the bronze rings worn around their

neck. Reasons and tradition are

unknown, but anthropologists feel it is to

protect against wild animals and against

the slave trade.

10 The world famous Pigeon Blood Rubies are mined in Mogok, and Imperial Jade, known as

“Yu” in China, is a product of the Jade Mines in Kachin State.

11 Karen (Kayin in Myanmar) is the second largest ethnic group of over 135 ethnic groups in

Myanmar. Karens are known as Kariang in Thailand and populate the eastern border region

of Myanmar, which is close to Western Thailand. There are also Karens living in the

Ayeyawaddi delta of Burma.

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16 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

For additional information on Facts of Interest, please visit the following websites:

#s 1, 2 and 3: http://www.wikipedia.org/Myanmar

#5: www.fepservices.com (There are photos and background information on the WWII death

railway and war cemeteries.)

#6: www.myanmar-explore.com (See Myanmar Himilaya for Mt. Hkakaborazi)

#9: www.allmyanmar.com/new.allmyanmar/kayan or padaung.html

#10: http://www.myanmar-image.com/myanmar/gems/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS:

Myanmar Literature in English Translation

Kinwin Mingyi. London Diaries 1st Mission of a Burmese Mission to Britain 1872, translated

by Bagshawe, L.E., 2006

Ludu U Hla. Caged Ones. Portraits of Teenage Fellows in Prison. Published1958. The 1st

English Edition was published in1986. This work was written during the 1950’s when the

author was imprisoned. It won the UNESCO prize award in 1958.

Mya Than Tint. On the Road to Mandalay. Published 1987. 1st English translation by Ohmar

Khin & Sein Kyaw Hlaing in 1995. Mya Than Tint is Burma’s prolific writer. This book tells

of poverty, hardship, the dislocation of women, and families struggling along with no support

from the State. Calls for the Burmese to understand one another.

Nu Nu Yi –Smile as They Bow. Translated by Alfred Birbaum & Thi Thi Aye. Hyperion, NY

2008. The author has over 20 years of experience in the literary field and has written 15

novels and over 100 short stories. Smile as They Bow is representative of contemporary

Burmese society. The paradox of tension between religious practices and capitalist tendencies,

and the social belongings of marginalized groups (women, transvestites, and poor) are all

brought fourth in this book. The author was one of five Asian authors who were included in the

shortlist for the inaugural 2007 Man Asian Literary Prize.

Myanmar Wisdom: Proverbs

Regrets come later.

Mangos among fruits, pork among meats, tea (laphet-tea leaves) among leaves are the best.

You can stop speaking to someone but you cannot stop being related.

Old cows like young grass.

Anyone can fancy his bed as a Palace. (You can believe whatever you want.)

It’s dress in a man, bindings in a basket’s edge. (Importance in a thing)

One calls out for mother only when one stumbles.

Two may become enemies when their ideas are the same.

A ship load of fish gets spoiled because of one spoiled fish.

Fisherman near fisherman, hunter near hunter

Seek wisdom like a beggar.

You cannot be lucky forever.

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17 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

Note to Teachers: The Five

Duties of both teachers and

students are presented here to

help develop a better

understanding of the newly

arrived Myanmar student and the

expectations and cultural

experiences that he/she brings to

the classroom.

To learn more about Myanmar proverbs, please see the following website: http://www.mrtv3.net.mm/index.html . Click on “Did You Know” (at the top of the page), then click on

“Infotainment” (at the left side of the page). Select “Infotainment 5”. Select “Myanmar Proverbs.”

Myanmar Sayings (Rules) Myanmar has “Rules “known as “Lawka Niti”. There are 167 rules in the “Lawka Niti” and

these rules have been handed down through the ages. Some of the rules are most outstanding and

fit in today’s modern world thinking. They are observed as set rules for the Myanmar people

even today.

Following are some of the outstanding from the 167 rules of the “Lawka Niti”

There is no ruby in every mountain.

A puny frog, never having seen the ocean, thinks a little well-water is a lot.

Do not visit another’s house frequently without being invited.

The pot not full of water is turbulent.

When two buffaloes trample, the grass underneath them cannot bear it

Children, be wise: One without wisdom is the bearer of another’s burden.

A wise man is honored day by day.

The friend who stands by you in severe ailment, in time of scarcity, they are indeed good

friends.

To learn more about “Lawka Niti”, please see the following books: Grey, James. Niti Literature. London, 1887.

U Thu Kha. Lawka Niti (written in Myanmar. The explanations of the Rules are given in

English) 4th Edition . Yangon 1998

Myanmar Duties There are also “Duties” derived from the Buddha’s teachings that are strictly observed by

Theravada Buddhists in Myanmar. These duties reflect the responsibilities and expectations

inherent in the reciprocal relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and,

teachers and students.

THE FIVE DUTIES OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Students Teachers

Respect teachers. Train students to be disciplined.

Help teachers. Teach and explain to your best.

Trust and obey teachers Teach everything known.

Look after teachers. Appreciate students.

Learn from teachers. Stand up for pupils whenever

needed.

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18 New York State Asian Languages Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center (ALBETAC)

To learn more about the Duties, please see the following: Ministry of Religious Affairs, Myanmar

The Teachings of Buddha. Yangon, 1998.

Famous Quotes

Truth is a powerful weapon. Truth can be frightening and reassuring, depending on which side

you are on. ~Aung San Suu Kyi (Nobel Laureate, Author of The Voice of Hope)

The worth of the individual being is the most unique and precious of our assets. It must be the

beginning part of all our efforts. Governments, systems, ideologies and institutions come and

go, but humanity remains. ~U Thant (First Asian Secretary General of the United Nations)